This entry isn't easy for me to write, but write I must. With the permission of my co-worker I'd like to share his story.

After work I sat by the river's edge when my co-worker sat down close beside me. I could sense his sadness. He asked for a cigarette, and I obliged. I stayed silent and waited for him to tell me what was troubling his mind and heart.

Finally, he said his friend died Saturday night.

"Let me guess," I said, "pills and booze?"

"Yes," he replied. "An overdose, not suicide."

I told him his friend wasn't a down and out druggy, he was just trying to keep up on the demands life put on him. His Soul needed a rest. My co-worker explained his friend was twenty one and that his mother counted on him for care. He was working a couple of jobs. Saturday night was suppose to be a night out with the boys to unwind. Well, to me a simple choice of having fun, changed the course of a lot of lives last Saturday night. I hope your choices were worth the price.

My co-worker took some solace that his friend died the most peaceful way. His eyes closed lost in his dreams. We discussed methods he could say a personal good bye to his friend on the physical plane. And how he could include his friend's spirit in his life as he journeyed forward on his path.

This young man was only twenty one...twenty one. To truly appreciate the loss, think back to what you were doing when you were at that age, and how much living you've done since then. That young man will not experience what you have. He doesn't have the choices you still do.

The moral of the story is today, if you find yourself wallowing, or becoming upset over petty sh-- that you thought would go one way and went another, you still might have tomorrow to turn the situation around. If it is not worth the stress and the reality of it all is before you, maybe it is time to let go. Honestly, see the person, place or thing as it really is, not the way you want it to be. Try to appreciate what is given. It is what it is.

Life is a bitch! Life is trial and error and practice makes perfect. There is always something to learn from the experience. There are so many what if''s in life. If you want peace, love and laughter you have to work at seeing the good in it, and doing the right thing. Which isn't always easy - we want we want. It is not always right in front of you. All that glitters isn't gold. So, you might need to search for the silver lining.

***Thanks for the view of the pond and my other most favorite thing to watch. Both brought me a smile. Love & Laughter to you All!

Wiccans and Pagans have an animal companion that they consider their familiar. A familiar is part of the family. A familiar is often defined as an animal with whom we have a magical connection. If an animal has appeared in your life unexpectedly -- such as a stray cat that appears regularly, for instance -- it's possible that the animal may have been drawn to you magickally!